Political advertising on the transport network

Overview

The Department of Transport and Planning (DTP) is committed to maintaining the political impartiality of the public sector, and to upholding the VPS Code of Conduct among DTP staff and portfolio agencies. 

As a Victorian government department, we accept our responsibility to support the conduct of free and fair elections in Victoria. This includes facilitating responsible access to land or facilities managed by the department for the purpose of election campaigns and advertising, where this is not otherwise prohibited. 

This document summarises the requirements in relation to political (including election) advertising within arterial and freeway road reserves and on the public transport network in accordance with the relevant legislation and regulations.

View the full Political (including election) advertising on the transport network document here

Political advertising on the public transport network

Political advertising is prohibited on Victoria’s public transport network, in accordance with the Victorian Government’s agreements with train, tram and bus operators. 

Distribution of handbills (including flyers)

Under regulation 41(2)(a) of the Transport (Conduct on Public Transport) Regulations 2025, it is an offence to distribute handbills or flyers while in or on a public transport vehicle or public transport premises without prior written authorisation. 

However, the prohibition on political advertising on the public transport network also applies to the distribution of handbills. An infringement penalty applies. Authorised officers appointed under section 221AB of the Transport (Compliance and Miscellaneous) Act 1983 and Metro station staff can remove any unauthorised political handbills. 

Filming and photography

Filming and photography (including filming for advertisements or creation of social media content) that is used to promote a political party, parties or political cause or may diminish the reputation of public transport or the public transport system in Victoria is prohibited.

Train station boundaries

Any campaigning or election-related advertising must be conducted outside train station boundaries.

Metro Trains Melbourne provides maps of all station land boundaries to assist candidates, staff and volunteers. These are available at the Metro Trains website or can be downloaded directly here.

Appendix 2: Political (including election) advertising on the public transport network, provides further information.

Political advertising in the road reserve

It is an offence to place political (including election) advertising and signs in the road reserve without the prior written consent of the relevant coordinating road authority under Section 66(1) of the Road Management Act 2004 (RMA). This does not apply if a planning permit has been obtained under the relevant municipal planning scheme. The Head, Transport for Victoria (Head, TfV), is the coordinating road authority for arterial roads and freeways.  A municipal council is the coordinating road authority for municipal roads. 

The Head, TfV assesses applications on a case-by-case basis and considers the size, location and content of the proposed sign and whether the sign has the potential to be a road safety hazard. 

Political advertising is not permitted in some locations in arterial and freeway road reserves including, but not limited to, the following:

• Bridge structures
• Road reserve fences owned by Head, TfV
• Street name signs and posts
• Attached to trees
• On non-frangible posts e.g. star pickets
• Other roadside furniture (e.g. guard fence, guideposts, traffic control devices)
• Mobile billboard trailers parked on the roadside.

Head, TfV has powers under the RMA to remove and dispose of unauthorised political advertising in the road reserve, often without prior notification to the person responsible for placing the sign. 

Applications to place election signage within the road reserve of an arterial road or freeway should be made using this template and submitted to the Head, Transport for Victoria via [email protected].

Appendix 1: Political (including election) advertising in the road reserve, provides detailed information about political advertising signs within arterial and freeway road reserves including the application process and enforcement of unauthorised political advertising signs.